A 41-week pregnant multigravida presents in the labor and delivery unit after a nonstress test indicated that her fetus could be experiencing some difficulties in utero.Which diagnostic tool would yield more detailed information about the fetus?
A) Ultrasound for fetal anomalies
B) Biophysical profile (BPP)
C) Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening
D) Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Real-time ultrasound permits detailed assessment of the physical and physiologic characteristics of the developing fetus and cataloging of normal and abnormal biophysical responses to stimuli.BPP is a noninvasive,dynamic assessment of a fetus that is based on acute and chronic markers of fetal disease.An ultrasound for fetal anomalies would most likely have been performed earlier in the pregnancy.It is too late in the pregnancy to perform MSAFP screening.Also,MSAFP screening does not provide information related to fetal well-being.Indications for PUBS include prenatal diagnosis or inherited blood disorders,karyotyping of malformed fetuses,detection of fetal infection,determination of the acid-base status of a fetus with IUGR,and assessment and treatment of isoimmunization and thrombocytopenia in the fetus.

A 41-Week Pregnant Multigravida Presents in the Labor and Delivery